For decades, headlines have flashed with extraterrestrial curiosities: potential life on distant planets, ancient signs on Mars, even near-miss asteroid threats. Yet, these events fade quickly, overshadowed by terrestrial crises like war and climate change. But what if these cosmic distractions hold a deeper significance? Historian Dagomar Degroot argues in his new book, Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean, that observing beyond Earth has profoundly shaped human history—and may be critical to our survival.
The Unexpected Influence of the Cosmos
Degroot, an environmental historian at Georgetown University, presents a compelling case for interdisciplinary study. He demonstrates how humanity’s understanding of the solar system has impacted everything from scientific progress to religious beliefs.
Ignoring space is not an option: as Degroot points out, “We cannot pretend the ocean does not exist… it is also because we can only understand our island by looking out toward the ocean.”
Without the night sky, our knowledge of Earth’s climate, existential threats like asteroid impacts, and even fundamental scientific debates would be severely limited. Our world would be poorer in understanding and far more vulnerable.
From Venus to Climate Change
One striking example is Venus, now a hellish, scorching world. Early observations of Venus’s thick atmosphere sparked speculation about life beneath the clouds, contributing to the idea that Earth was not alone in harboring life. However, as science advanced and revealed Venus’s true, inhospitable state, a more urgent question emerged: could Earth share the same fate?
Scientists like Carl Sagan and James Hansen, studying Venus’s runaway greenhouse effect, were instrumental in raising alarms about climate change on Earth. This highlights how understanding other planets can provide crucial insights into our own planetary health.
Nuclear Threats and Celestial Warnings
The influence extends beyond climate. Martian dust storms prompted scientists to consider similar catastrophic scenarios caused by nuclear weapons, while the impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter served as a stark warning about potential threats to Earth. These events forced humanity to confront existential risks and spurred defensive thinking.
Eccentric Pioneers and Controversial Figures
Degroot also profiles lesser-known figures like Immanuel Velikovsky, a psychoanalyst who made surprisingly accurate predictions about Venus by consulting ancient mythology. While controversial, Velikovsky exemplifies how unconventional thinking can drive scientific inquiry.
The Future of Space Exploration
Degroot acknowledges the current shift in space exploration, fueled by private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. He warns against repeating historical patterns of exploitation, urging a vision where space exploration benefits all of humanity. One potential avenue, he suggests, is space-based solar power, though its feasibility remains uncertain.
The decision is unavoidable: “Humanity’s past was influenced, in part, by ripples on the cosmic ocean… More will come, no matter what we do.”
Ultimately, Degroot’s book serves as a powerful reminder that understanding the cosmos isn’t just about discovering what’s out there; it’s about understanding ourselves.
The future of humanity may well depend on how we navigate the ripples of the cosmic ocean and how we choose to make our own waves.
Additional Reading:
Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan offers a vision of humanity’s future in space, while H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds demonstrates how easily space-based fears can grip public imagination. For a brutally realistic look at off-world living, A City on Mars by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith details the harsh realities of colonizing another planet.
